The State is like a bad parent, repeatedly tolerating criminal behaviour, the
policing minister is to say today.

Nick Herbert says that by failing to set boundaries, the criminal justice
system reinforces the poor parenting many offenders have already suffered.
Billions are spent on prisons and probation rather than intervening earlier
to prevent criminals drifting into a cycle of repeat offending.

Mr Herbert will say in a speech in Washington that the authorities must act
immediately someone offends to make them realise that they will be punished.

“The State too often acts like a bad parent, neglectful in repeatedly
tolerating